Cardiff 0 - Ipswich 0: Malky's men fire blanks

Overall, it was a fair result. I’d have taken one point before the game and I’m happy with it now.

Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy

The Championship leaders extended their automatic promotion advantage over third-placed Leicester to ten points but this was a below-par display by the home side, who created few clear-cut chances against Mick McCarthy’s resurgent team.

Mackay said: “It’s not about looking at where teams are in the league, it’s about the form guide.

“We played against a team who are top of the form guide and have only lost two in ten.

“If we hadn’t worked as hard as we did we would have been beaten. I’m delighted with the work of my team.”

Ipswich almost went ahead in the 15th minute when Guirane N’Daw, on loan from Saint-Etienne, cracked David Marshall’s post with a thumping 25-year strike.

Cardiff created their clearest opportunity on 28 minutes when Craig Bellamy raced down the left flank and found Aron Gunnarsson, whose shot was blocked before Craig Conway fired the Iceland midfielder’s lay-off over the bar.

Ipswich came close to grabbing a winner when debut boy Frank Nouble flashed a shot past the post in added time.

McCarthy said: “We played very well and had some good chances.

“Overall, it was a fair result. I’d have taken one point before the game and I’m happy with it now.”